The new owners are a family group of logging contractors from the Old Town area, Scott Madden; his son Andrew Madden; Scott Madden’s nephews Randall Madden, Tony Madden and Steven Madden; and Steven Madden’s son Chris Madden, who works in the accounting field.

The Maddens have come to know the Lelands over the years and have been longtime customers of the Dover-Foxcroft and Guilford stores.

Last summer Andrew Madden and Howard Leland began preliminary talks about a possible business transaction, and soon Scott Madden became involved in the purchasing process. On Feb. 1 the change in ownership became official.

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“With Howard’s knowledge and connections this was the best opportunity for them to get into business,” said Dover Auto Parts store manager Mike Wickett, who began the job when the Madden family assumed ownership.

Wickett said Leland worked at the store before buying the business from the previous owner, and “the goal here is the new owners don’t want to change the way the store is set up. We are not trying to change anything as far as the structure of the store goes. It’s going to stay the same.”

NAPA Auto Parts in Guilford, located downtown at the base of Elm Street, is managed by David Leland, who has worked there for more than 25 years. “We opened in April of 1986,” Leland said. “Howard bought this and opened it up as NAPA.”

The public is invited to stop by and meet the new owners from noon to 3 p.m. Saturday, April 21, at the Dover-Foxcroft location on 27 Summer St. Those attending the event can sign up to win door prizes and enjoy refreshments.